Calgary Edition
PLANET
15 PHILIPPINES
JULY 1-15, 2011
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PHILIPPINES
COCO MARTIN FROM INDIE TO JULY 1-15, 2011
MAINSTREAM STAR Coco was recently awarded the prestigious Gawad Urian’s Dekada Award as Actor of the Decade for his extraordinary body of work in his young career. He says he’s willing to take on worthwhile projects even for free so long as they help improve his craft. BY PEPPER MARCELO
SUALLY, THE path of a would-be star in local TV or film goes like this: Join a networksponsored talent group; get bit or cameo roles in soaps or movies; ingratiate yourself to network executives and the media; gradually get bigger and better parts; and, with the help of fate, get that one, unlikely lucky break and be anointed “the next big thing.” The path to stardom for actor Coco Martin took a more non-traditional, circuitous route; taking him everywhere – from down-and-dirty low-budget films, to glitzy red carpets and critical acclaim abroad, to eventually becoming a bonafide, popular leading man at home. Although the 29-year-old Pampanga native (born Rodel Nacianceno) was part of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Batch 9 in 2001, and had a bit part in a minor Judy Ann Santos film, he didn’t immediately climb the ladder to fame. Instead, he turned to commercial modeling and, impatient and uncertain with his career, contemplated quitting the business altogether. However, with the sudden explosion of the local independent film scene, Coco was able to get challenging roles that showcased his dramatic skills and versatility.
Coco holds the Gawad Urian trophy for Best Actor of the Decade.
Most notably in the films of acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza, Coco starred or played significant supporting roles in highlypraised w o r k s such as Masahista, Kaledo, Foster Child, Tirador, Serbis, and the Cannes Film Festival-winning Kinatay. With appearances in over a dozen films by other up-andcoming directors, Coco was bestowed the nickname “The Prince of Indie Cinema.” Being a niche actor, however, had its share of setbacks. Coco felt he was oftentimes relegated to daring or gay roles that explicitly, some might says exploitatively,
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17 PHILIPPINES
JULY 1-15, 2011
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JULY 1-15, 2011
focused on his good looks and physique, instead of acting ability. Despite lingering doubts if he would be able to break into the mainstream, he persevered. “Ito naman talaga ang gusto kong gawin, pero alam mo ‘yun, you get to that point na nagiging mainipin ka rin,” he says. His persistence soon translated to bigger and better parts in mainstream television, with beefier supporting roles in shows such as Ligaw Na Bulaklak, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Tayong Dalawa, and Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo. Coco’s dedication paid off when he was chosen for the lead role in the dramatic series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. He was happy to finally be the star of a major network project, believing that management noticed his commitment as an actor. “Nagkataon lang po siguro na kumbaga, nagampanan ko nang maayos ang mga role ko sa nakaraang soap opera na ginawa ko. At siguro nabigyan lang siguro ako ng oportunidad at nakitaan ako ng potential kaya nagkakataon na magaganda ang proyekto ko at nakakasama ko ang magagaling na artista,” he said. In the show, Coco plays twin brothers: A soldier and an NPA rebel, who both fall in love with women on opposite sides of the ongoing conflict. His soldier character romances a rebel girl (played by Maja Salvador), while his NPA rebel character becomes infatuated for a soldier (played by Andi Eigenmann). Since its premiere last March, the show has been a consistent top-rater for the network. Despite his newfound mainstream popularity, Coco says he has not left the independent scene entirely, saying he is willing to take on projects as long as the role and story pass his stringent standards. “If ever may magandang proyekto at alam kong maayos ang mga katrabaho ko, never kong hihindian ‘yan. Hangga’t makakakaya ko at maisisingit ko sa schedule ko, gagawin at gagawin ko,” he says. Financially sufficient with his soap opera salary, he even says he’s willing to forgo money for a project he believes in. “May mga projects na pino-propose sa akin pero pinag-aaralan ko pa nang maiigi. Kung maganda naman talaga, bakit hindi ko gagawin? Kahit hindi pa ako bayaran.” Bottom-line, Coco understands the necessity of being in
18 PHILIPPINES
Appearing in over a dozen films by upand-coming directors, Coco earned the nickname “The Prince of Indie Cinema.” independent projects, not just to better local films, but the challenge they present to him as an actor, as well. “Kumbaga hindi mo ito ginagawa for the sake na kumita ka, ginagawa mo ito dahil gusto mo ang trabahong ito at nirerespeto mo ‘yung propesyon mo.” Recently, he was awarded the prestigious Gawad Urian’s Dekada Award as Actor of the Decade for his extraordinary body of work in his young career. “Walang kapantay po ang sayang nararamdaman ko ngayon,” Coco said. There was talk that Mendoza, who initially gave Coco the opportunity to shine not only locally but on the world stage, was not too happy that the young actor chose to do a television show over his new film, Prey, starring French star Isabelle Huppert. According to Coco, he consulted Mendoza, whom he considers his mentor, on whether to do TV or film, and that he simply couldn’t let such a great opportunity pass him by, especially with many people depending on him. “Sinabi ko na sa kanya na ayoko namang mawalan ng trabaho ‘yung mga kasamahan ko sa teleserye dahil lang umaalis alis ako para gumawa ng ibang pelikula. Ayokong natitigil sila o naghihintay. Alam ko naman na mahirap ang buhay ngayon.” He feels that there will be another opportunity for him and Mendoza to work together again in the future. “Siya na agad ‘yung nagsabi na ibang pelikula na lang ‘yung gawin namin.” Coco has a major movie slated for later this year co-starring Judy
Coco plays a dual role – one as a soldier and the other as a rebel – in the TV series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.
Ann Santos. In what seems like coming full circle, he will not be a minor supporting player but her leading man. “Sana matuloy, mas sobrang excited ako siyempre Ms. Judy Ann Santos yun,” he said. “Kumbaga dati noong di pa ako nag-a-artista, kumbaga isa ako sa mga tagahanga niya tapos ngayon makaka-trabaho ko na siya. Hindi ko alam kung anong preparasyon at kung anong mararamdaman ko if ever na magkaka-trabaho na kami.” Despite his success, Coco has not been left unscathed by controversy and behind-the-scenes intrigue, and being romantically linked to his attractive co-stars. He says that gossip is just part of business, adding that, unlike other people though, he does not look for intrigue as a way to boost his popularity or ego. “Kasama ‘yun. Pero kanya-kanya rin naman ng mga sitwasyong napapasukan. Hindi ko naman itinago ang mga nangyari sa personal na buhay ko, eh.” For sure, Coco’s had to make certain adjustments from being a regular fixture in independent films to becoming a certified mainstream star, but he promises to continue working just as hard. “Siguro para sa akin ito na ‘yung time para makapag-adjust kasi iba naman ang indie at mainstream,” he said. “Ito ‘yung blessings at ayoko namang tanggihan. Basta lagi ko na lang iniisip na dapat pagbutihan ko kasi baka mamaya ito na ‘yung last ko eh.” n
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SOLUTION ON PAGE 25
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PLANET
Calgary Edition
19
PHILIPPINES
JULY 1-15, 2011
CELEBR TY
MOM CONFIRMS ANDI IS PREGNANT
ANDI
PULITZERWINNING PINOY ‘TNT’ MAY REMAIN IN U.S.
JOSE AN official of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) thinks it is highly unlikely that Filipino Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas will be deported. In an interview on TFC’s Balitang America, AILA immediate past president David Leopold said, “Jose Vargas is the kind of person that we want in America.” Vargas, who earned a Pulitzer Prize as part of a team that covered the Virginia Tech shootings, earlier exposed himself as an illegal immigrant in the United States. Vargas had revealed in a New York Times essay that he has been living as an illegal immigrant in the US for almost two decades. It seems, however, that the US will not just let go of Vargas. “He has worked hard, he’s adding to the social fabric and culture,” Leopold added. “He’s become an excellent writer and he’s had a promising career.” Leopold said that Vargas may be subject to some civil penalties, but doubts that criminal charges can be filed against the journalist.
AWARD-WINNING dramatic actress Jaclyn Jose has confirmed rumors that her daughter Andi Eigenmann is almost five months pregnant. “I just want to tell everyone that yes, it’s true, my daughter’s pregnant,” Jaclyn said in an interview on June 29 on TV Patrol. Jaclyn, tears falling on her cheeks, said, “Hindi madali, pero kailangan kong tanggapin. Kasi mahal ko siya at anak ko siya. Wala namang ibang tutulong sa kanya kundi ako at ang kanyang
pamilya.” She said the father of Andi’s child is her former boyfriend whom she did not name. She said the two have since split. “First boyfriend, wala na sila no’n. Iniwanan siya nung nabuntis siya,” said Jaclyn. She said her family is fully supportive of Andi. “She decided to keep the baby, na naging proud naman ako sa anak ko. Mahal namin ‘yan, e. Mahal ng lahat ng pamilya ko si Andi.“ Andi had been linked to another
Star Magic talent, Albie Casiño, who was in the cast of Mara Clara. After their breakup, Albie accused Andi of being a “cheater.” Andi is the daughter of multiawarded actors Mark Gil and Jaclyn Jose. She was introduced in the TV series Prinsesa ng Banyera in 2007 and was later promoted to leading role in Agua Bandita in 2010. She is currently appearing in the ABS-CBN primetime series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. She is being groomed to star in a new project, Galema, Ang Anak ni Zuma.
MARIAN REVEALS RIFT WITH HEART MARIAN Rivera said she is confused and shocked to learn that her GMA-7 colleague Heart Evangelista harbors ill feelings toward her. “Akala ko maayos kami, yun pala, para sa kanya hindi,” Marian told reporters when asked about her reported rift with Heart, her co-star in the movie Temptation Island. She said the cast, staff and crew of the movie were close and had fun shooting the movie. She stressed that she and Heart were okay the whole time when they shooting the movie. “Lahat ng cast, staff and crew, pati yung direktor—maayos kaming lahat. Sobrang nag-usap kami, naging okay kaming lahat... Nag-usap kami, wala naman kaming pinag-awayan. . . Yun na nga lang, pagdating doon sa airport, nagulat ako…parang
MARIAN na-shock ako na. . . Alam n’yo na ‘yon kung ano ang nangyari,” Marian narrated. The airport incident Marian referred to, as reported in a tabloid, went this way: Upon arrival of the cast and crew at the Manila domestic airport on June 13 from Ilo-
cos Norte, Marian reportedly approached Heart to bid goodbye but was accosted by Heart’s mother, who, aided by five bodyguards, allegedly told Marian, “Stay away from my daughter!” Some reports said the conflict stemmed from Marian’s alleged adverse reaction to Heart’s excited pronouncement of her imminent team-up with Dingdong Dantes, Marian’s boyfriend. Reports said Marian didn’t like it and she made it known to Heart in no uncertain terms. Heart probably told her mom about it and that’s why the incident at the airport happened. Heart and her boyfriend, Brazilian-Japanese model-actor Daniel Matsunaga, are currently vacationing in Brazil. Heart and her mother have not commented on the issue as of press time.
PIOLO BARES PROJECTS WITH KC, ANGEL PIOLO Pascual disclosed that he and girlfriend KC Concepcion are set to do a project together – a concert in the United States. This will be their first project together since doing the TV series Lovers in Paris where they became close and eventually became a couple. “Yes, there’s a plan to do a concert in the US. I think we are doing one in California. Hindi ko lang alam kung sa San Francisco o sa LA,” Piolo said in a TV interview. “We will be doing that this October, this year.” He also announced that he is set to do a reunion project with Angel Locsin, his leading lady in the hit teleserye Lobo.
PIOLO “There is a project and hopefully sometime soon ay magawa na namin,” he said. “She’s also doing some project with another leading man pero even while we were doing ‘Lobo’ mayroon nang project na
ANGEL gagawin namin together. I hope it will happen soon.” Piolo is currently preparing for a still undisclosed movie, while Angel is in the cast of Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie.
CHARICE
CHARICE ADMITS BEING VICTIM OF CYBER-BULLYING
CHARICE says she is a victim of cyber-bullying. In an interview with Celebuzz. com, Charice said she is getting a lot of negative comments on social networking site Facebook and microblogging site Twitter. “Oh, I mean, boy, oh my God. I’ve experienced that a lot, especially now. I get a lot of negative messages on Twitter and Facebook, stuff like that. It is just part of [using social media],” said Charice in reply to the question, “What kind of message do you have for young girls who might be the victims of cyber-bullying through Twitter, etc.?” She added: “Sometimes the worst part is that some people can’t take [the negativity]. They are too weak to handle that kind of stuff. You just have to be strong about it. It’s just words coming out of other people. If they say ‘You’re ugly,’ it’s just a word – it’s never gonna kill you.” Charice said that her only advice to victims of cyber-bullying is to look at the situation in another way. “I just want to tell other girls that if you hear a person telling you negative stuff, just remember that they’re not talking about you, they’re talking about themselves,” she said. Charice, obviously hurt by the harsh comments of some people, decided to delete her personal account on Facebook. In May, after performing an original song on the season finale of the hit TV show Glee, Charice received negative comments about her weight. She said she would love to be part again of Glee Season 3.
PLANET
JULY 1-15, 2011
20 PHILIPPINES
It is quiet inside the Basilica del Santo Niño despite the grandeur. It is filled with people without a mass to attend.
BY KATRINA STUART SANTIAGO
ROVINCIAL hustle and bustle are redefined in a space that takes pride in its religiosity. In the province of Cebu, on an otherwise regular weekend, there was nothing special to celebrate. Other than stillness, the kind that’s about being anchored in faith that you might not practice a whole lot of, but which in this space is a ride you’re in by default. After all, where religion is part of history and hysteria, rhyme and reason, the irrational and rational, it feels almost all-encompassing, on the one hand about hopelessness, on the other about the bright light of possibility, both in the face of prayer. And icon upon icon upon icon: there’s one for your every need. You arrive at the church complex of the Basilica del Santo Niño in the center of town, enter the small chapel for Magellan’s Cross, and buy into the idea of candles: a color for your every need, all ten of them not to be lit but to be offered. Leave it at the Cross, bring it to the icons of your choice inside the church, but only after the manang has chanted your name with the rest of her prayer, only after she has promised that your wishes will come true, her prayers will do all the work for you. It is a performance to be sure: she prays with a dance, hands filled with candles gesturing up to the cross, a trance were it not distracted by the rest of the women like her, doing exactly the same thing, only inserting a different name where appropriate. You realize soon enough that many others in the tiny chapel aren’t like you who’s tourist and stranger: they’re in work outfits and school uniforms, their prayers more solemn than the pageantry in yours. You walk through the church and find the same kind of solemnity: it is quiet despite the grandeur, it is filled with people without a mass to attend. The Basilica del Santo Niño’s statuary has icons aplenty, and like the candles in your hand there is an icon for every need. You get lost in the layers of offerings and requests, and realize quickly enough that this is no superficial act of prayer, no easy task of choosing whom to pray to. People’s heads are bowed, hands reaching out to the icons, personal prayer done in such a public space. You leave a candle and say a prayer at the Black Madonna, and do the same at the beautiful Virgin Mary standing to one end of the room. You reach out to the more popular icons here: St. Rita and St. Jude. The former is the patron saint of impossible cases, the latter the patron saint of desperate and lost causes. You leave candles at both. The last time you were here things seemed to be in
A QUIETAND
STILL CEBU
As you leave the Basilica del Santo Niño, the old colonial plaza comes to life, the quiet within the church seamlessly working with the small-scale local commerce of guitars and balloons and Sto. Niño replicas of every size outside. expect nothing but an overly decorated icon. Which after 30 minutes in line isn’t at all what’s in the tiny room at the center of which the Sto. Niño’s altar stands. Which after another five minutes or so of utter quiet in the room, meant you in solemn prayer, the kind that happens in front of about 30 other people in the room, waiting their turn or lingering after their chance at prayer. You leave the Basilica del Santo Niño with a strange stillness, one that could only be borne of prayer, a calm that you carry as you step out to the church complex and face a Sunday fiesta
The Candle Ladies dance the sinulog, a prayer-chant to the Sto. Nino, and promise devotees that their wishes will come true. place. Today you find comfort in a spiral of change. But you are close enough to hope here, and you fall in line for the Santo Niño, the one that’s claimed to have arrived first on Philippine shores, the one that has survived. To your critical mind it is but a vestige of colonized Philippines, and you
Colored candles for every need are offered unlit to the icons of your choice inside the chapel for Magellan’s Cross.
Calgary Edition
of sorts, the old colonial plaza coming to life, the quiet within the church seamlessly working with the small-scale local commerce of guitars and balloons and Sto. Niño replicas of every size outside. This quiet resonates as you walk the ruins of Fuerza de San Pedro, where a wishing well stands beside the Virgin of Remedies. Where candles are once again lit, as coins are dropped down the dark dank well. As wishes and prayers, offerings and requests, must live in those high concrete walls, must be about the tall steps that lead to the watchtowers, must hold fort here with a history of struggle. You find comfortable serenity in conversations with Cebuano artists, who listen to each other talk at length about their art, about creativity, about local culture, without the need to outdo each other’s stories, with seniority becoming the louder voice. It cuts across the roads you travel to get to Alegre Guitars, the zipline you hung from in the middle of nowhere, the brightly colored Taoist Temple in a private subdivision, the cat naps you took in the rented car traveling to everywhere. There is an amount of stability in this silence, in the stories that it tells of history and religion -- of belief. Where Lapu Lapu is said to have slain Magellan, you believe the silences to be true. As you walk through the rooms and halls of the Museo Sugbo, you trust it all to be possible: this idea of Cebu as center, with a history as big as the national narrative, its insistence on difference finally making sense. You don’t take offense. There is stability in this sense of identity, intertwined as history and religion are within it, silenced as the contradictions in it are. History is highly subjective, or so we’ve been taught: in a space bound to religion, all you really know is the calm that belief brings. Stable identities are possible. Questions are for non-believers. You talk about the trip to Cebu now, you look at photos and remember places and people and moments, but mostly you remember yourself in that context: where you were certain about who you were, what you were doing, when the noise was too much, why you were quiet. You listened to yourself in the midst of the contradictions made silent, the beliefs suddenly possible. You listened to the quiet and found that shadow of yourself that knows of its value. There is you, and Cebu, still. (GMA News) n
Calgary Edition
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21 PHILIPPINES
RICK ORMAN
Richard “Rick” D. Orman was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 9, 1948 as a fourth generation Albertan. He studied at the University of Calgary before graduating with honours from Eastern Washington University in 1971. Orman served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1986 to 1993. Since 1993, he has been active within the business community, both provincially and internationally. Orman first became a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen in 1975 and has provided provincial and federal political commentary on the CKUA Radio Network since 1994. Following the formation of the first Peter Lougheed Progressive Conservative government in 1971, Orman served as executive assistant to two successive Alberta energy and resources ministers from 1972 to 1975. Early career: 1975-1983 In 1975, Orman co-founded Orman & Benini Land Services (subsequently Canadian Landmasters Resource Services). In 1978, he joined Signalta Resources Ltd., a joint venture partnership where he served as Manager of Land and Contracts until 1982. In 1982 he founded Nexus Resources Ltd., a private Calgary based exploration company. From 1980 to 1985, Orman was non-operating partner of the Board for CorpSport International Inc., an Edmonton based sports management firm.
Political career In 1983 Orman ran unsuccessfully for the Federal Progressive Conservative nomination in Calgary Centre, finishing second to Harvie Andre. At the time it was one of the biggest nominations in PC party history with more than 3,200 ballots cast.In 1985 Orman was a senior Calgary organizer for the successful Don Getty provincial leadership campaign. In 1992 Orman ran for the Progressive Conservative leadership and placed a distant third to future Liberal leader Nancy Betkowski and eventual winner Ralph Klein. Orman received 7,649 votes on the first ballot. Orman withdrew from the race prior to the final ballot and endorsed Betkowski, who lost to Klein in the final ballot. Legislative career: 1986-1993 Elected to the Alberta Legislature in May 1986, Orman held three Cabinet portfolios before his resignation from Cabinet in November 1992 to run in the provincial leadership campaign where he finished in third place. A lifetime Progressive Conservative, Orman served the constituency of Calgary Montrose from 1986 to 1993. Minister of Career Development and Employment: 1986-1988 Following his election in 1986, Orman was appointed the Minister of Career Development and Employment, where he served until September 1988. He was also responsible for Lotteries, Exhibitions and Fairs, and served as a member on the Economic Planning Cabinet Committee. As Career Development and Employment Minister, Orman developed and implemented the Labour Market Strategy and the Employment Alternatives Program which aided social assistance recipients in entering the job market. He also established the Immigration and Settlement Services Advisory Council and opened a Business Immigration Office in Hong Kong where he led two investment missions to Southeast Asia. Minister of Labour: 1988-1989 In September 1988, Orman was appointed Min
ister of Labour, a position he held until March 1989. As Labour Minister, he was responsible for the Department of Labour, Human Rights Commission, the Alberta Labour Relations Board and the Personnel Administration Office. During his tenure, Orman was responsible for the Human Rights Commission and implemented major changes to the Labour Relations Code. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Labour Relations Committee and also served on the Priorities, Finance and Coordination Committee of Cabinet. Minister of Energy: 1989-1992 From 1989 to 1992, Orman served as Minister of Energy where he was responsible for the Department of Energy, Energy Resources Conservation Board, Alberta Oil Sands Equity, Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, Public Utilities Board, and Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority. During this time, Orman was appointed Chairman of Energy Committee and Chairman of Economic Planning Committee of Cabinet, and continued to serve on the Priorities, Finance and Coordination Committee of Cabinet. Additionally, Orman was instrumental in the establishment of the National Resources Conservation Board and served as a Member of the Treasury Board. As Chairman of Economic Planning Committee, Orman played a lead role in planning and organizing Towards 2000 Together – a provincewide consultative initiative that sought public input into how Alberta could prepare for, and prosper in, the decade ahead. Orman led many of Alberta’s energy negotiations and took part in frequent speaking engagements on both national and international stages. During his tenure, natural gas pipeline expansion to the United States was a primary focus. As Minister of Energy he was actively involved in the natural gas contract dispute between Alberta producers and California. He also played a leading role in organizing and co-chairing the first federal-provincial energy and environment ministers joint meeting on climate change held in Kananaskis,
JULY 1-15, 2011 Alberta. In 1991, he was awarded the prestigious Crossborder Award as the person who played the most significant role in enhancing natural gas trade between Canada and the United States. As Minister of Energy, Orman served as a delegate to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the United States Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and the South West Energy Council. Additionally, Orman was a founding member of the Clean Air Strategic Alliance – a group dedicated to managing a clean air environment. He also led energy related trade missions to Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Career following political service: 1993-present Since Orman’s return to the private sector, he has remained active as an officer and board member in a number of publicly traded companies. From 1994 to 1998, Orman founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Kappa Energy Company Inc., an international energy exploration company. In 1999, Kappa merged with Vanguard Oil Corporation, where Orman sat on the Board of Directors until 2000. In April 2003, he co-founded Exceed Energy Inc. and served as Vice-Chairman until September 2005. He was also a Board Director of Novatel Inc. (NASDAQ) until its takeover in 2007. Orman is currently a Board Director and former Lead Director of Daylight Energy Ltd. (TSX) and is a Founder, Director and Chief Executive of NOR Energy AS. Community involvement Orman has been deeply involved in the Alberta volunteer community working with inner city children as a teen. Since then, he has been involved with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Citizen Advocacy for the Disabled and the Chrysalis Foundation for the Mentally and Physically Handicapped. Additionally, Orman has been a Honourary Chairman for the Aga Khan Partnership Walk (Calgary, 1990 and 1991), Philippine Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund (Alberta, 1990), and the African Famine Relief (Alberta, 1991). (From Wikipedia)
JULY 1-15, 2011
IRST, SOME of us survived being born to mothers who did not have an OB-Gyne, who smoked and/ or drank San Miguel Beer or Syoktong, while they carried us. The manghihilot was the cheapest way to deliver babies. Dinala ka ba ng nanay mo sa pediatrician for DPT? While pregnant, they took cold or cough medicine, Cortal or Medicol, ate isaw, and didn’t worry about diabetes or cervical cancer.
Then after all that trauma, our baby cribs were made of hard wood covered with lead-based paints, pati na yung walker (andador) natin, matigas na kahoy or rattan at wala pang gulong. We had no soft cushy cribs that play music, no disposable diapers (lampin lang), (noon cloth or rattan duyan lang tied to the posts or ceiling, babies would fall asleep sa sobrang hilo) and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, no kneepads, sometimes wala pang preno yung bisikleta. Take-out food was limited to Ongpin’s pansit or Aling Toyang’s pre-cooked ulam in kalderos. No pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Jollibee; and, coffee was just kape hindi ga-mahal as in Starbucks. As children, we would ride in jeepneys, libre pag kandong, hot unairconditioned buses with wooden seats (yung JD bus na pula), or cars with no air-conditioning and no seat belts (ngayon lahat may aircon na). Riding on the back of a carabao on a breezy summer day was considered a treat (ngayon hindi na nakakakita ng kalabaw ang mga bata). Did you make your own saranggola and pasted bubog on the strings? We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle purchased from 7-11 (minsan straight from the faucet or poso) walang7-11 noon, sari-sari store ni Mang Akong to buy Sarsi, Suntan, RC Cola or ChocoVim. We shared one softdrink bottle with four of our friends, and no one actually died from this or contracted hepatitis. We ate rice with Star margarine, pampatangkad daw, took raw eggs straight from the shell, and drank softdrinks with real sugar in it (hindi Diet Coke), but we weren’t sick or overweight kasi nga. . .
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TO ALL PINOYS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 50s, 60s, 70s AND EARLY 80s
Calgary Edition
We climbed walls and trees (to get aratiles and catch salagubang & tutubi - tied them on the neck or buntot with a string), fell out of trees, got cut or bukol, broke bones and teeth and there were no stupid lawsuits from these accidents. WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, and get back when the streetlights came on. Sarap mag-patintero, tumbang preso, habulan at taguan. Hindi uso ang kidnap-kidnap na yan, safe maglaro sa labas. Tanda mo ba ang piko, step-no-step-yes, trumpo, garter & mala-ahas sa haba na goma? Kung naulan, jackstones, pick-up sticks or sungka, bahay-bahayan, tinda-tindahan, titser-teacher-an or swimming sa baha or kangkungan. No one was able to reach us all day (di uso ang cellphone, walang beepers). And yes, we were O.K. Sipol lang ni tatay ang meron noon! We would spend hours building our wooden trolleys (yung bearing ang gulong) or plywood slides out of scraps and then ride down the street, only to find out we forgot the brakes! After hitting the sidewalk or falling into a canal (sewage channel) a few times, we learned to solve the problem ourselves with our bare & dirty hands.
We did not have Playstation, Nintendo, X-box, no video games at all, no 100 channels on cable, no DVD movies, no surround stereo, no iPod, no cellphones, no computers, no Internet, no chat rooms, and no Friendsters, Facebook, MSN etc. . . . WE HAD REAL FRIENDS and we went outside to actually talk and play with them! TV viewing was a treat, kilala mo ba si Popeye, Gumby, Betty Boop & followed the bouncing ball in Melody Tunes? That was karaoke then, LOL! We climbed walls and trees (to get aratiles and catch salagubang & tutubi - tied them on the neck or buntot with a string), fell out of trees, got cut or bukol, broke bones and teeth and there were no stupid lawsuits from these accidents. The only rubbing we get is from our friends with the words... Masakit ba? Pero pag galit yung kalaro mo, ang sasabihin sa iyo ay, Beh, buti nga! We played marbles (jolens) in the dirt, washed our
hands just a little and ate dirty ice cream, fish balls & inihaw sa baga. We were not afraid of getting sick or getting germs in our stomach. We had to live with homemade guns, gawa sa kahoy, tinali ng rubberband, sumpit, tirador at kung ano ano pa na puedeng makasakitan, pero masaya pa rin ang lahat. We made up games with sticks (siato), and cans (tumbang preso) and although we were told they were dangerous, wala naman tayong binulag o napatay, paminsan minsan may nabubukulan lang. We walked a lot, rode bikes, or took tricycles to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them to jump out the window! Mini basketball teams had tryouts and not everyone made it to the team. Those who didn’t pass had to learn to deal with the disappointment. Wala iyang mga childhood depression at damaged selfesteem ek-ek na yan. Ang pikon, talo. Ang magulang ay nandoon lang para tingnan kung ayos lang ang
mga bata, hindi para makialam at makipag-away sa ibang parents. That generation of ours had produced some of the best risktakers, problem-solvers, creative thinkers and successful professionals ever! They are the CEO’s, Engineers, Doctors and Military Generals of today. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had failure, success, and responsibility. We learned from our mistakes the hard way. You might want to share this with others who’ve had the luck to grow up as real kids. We were lucky indeed. And if you like, forward it to your kids too, so they will know how brave their parents were. (Posted on the Internet, author anonymous.) n
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Calgary Edition
23
PHILIPPINES
DOJ: WEBB HERE DURING KILLINGS A
PILE of micro reel tapes uncovered for the first time during the reinvestigation of the gruesome Vizconde massacre “shatters” Hubert Webb’s claim that he was in the United States at the time of the murders 20 years ago.
In a news conference on June 28 announcing the result of the six-month inquiry, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and officials of the National Bureau of Investigation said transcripts of the tapes from the Bureau of Immigration did not show that Webb left the country in 1991. However, De Lima said that in spite of the testimony of seven new witnesses, the investigators found no new evidence that put the son of former Sen. Freddie Webb or any of his co-accused at the scene of the crime. The reinvestigation by an interagency task force headed by the Department of Justice was ordered by President Benigno Aquino III in December following the acquittal of the 42-year-old Webb and his co-accused after 15 years imprisonment. June 30 marked the 20th year that Estrellita Vizconde, 47, and her daughters Carmela, 18, and Jennifer, 7, were stabbed dead in their house in an upscale subdivision in Parañaque City. Carmela also was raped. De Lima admitted that there was nothing the authorities could do with the new evidence, pointing out that the Supreme Court had affirmed with finality its ruling on Dec. 14 acquitting Webb et al. of rape with homicide, saying the prosecution had failed to probe their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Constitution, under its double jeopardy provision, prohibited a retrial of the case. Moreover, the 20-year prescription period for the capital offense also lapsed on June 30, preventing the state from going after the suspects. The prescription period also does not apply, according to De Lima, to Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura, who are still at large. “We believe that the evidence there is now rebut, or negate, or destroy or even shatter that defense of alibi (of Webb)… That is all it has established so far, the defense of alibi
was in fact false. But … we have no credible and confirmed evidence, whether testimonial or otherwise, that would place Hubert Webb and company at the scene of the crime,” De Lima said. “We are pursuing the truth. This may not be the whole truth, the whole picture, yet because of the gaps,” she said. But she stressed the findings were “significant enough to cast such a doubt” on Webb’s alibi. Webb has claimed he was in the United States at the time the Vizcondes were killed, presenting documents—from his passport to the certifications from US authorities—to prove his alibi. But Romulo Asis, head of the NBI Death Investigation Division, said the inquiry showed that there were inconsistencies in Webb’s signature in his passport compared to his signatures in US documents such as the customs declaration and his California driver’s license. Asis also said there were four witnesses who said they had seen Webb between April to July 1991 in Parañaque City. Webb had claimed to have left on March 9, 1991 for the United States. But more than these, data from magnetic reel tapes used by the Bureau of Immigration in the 1990s to record passenger arrivals and departures showed that Webb never left the country. They showed Freddie Webb left in March 1991, and several Webbs arrived in the Philippines, including Hubert Webb, in October 1992. Asked why the evidence shown in the reinvestigation was not discovered by the original investigators, De Lima said prosecutors were concentrating on Jessica Alfaro. “They felt that she as star witness was enough. It turned out the Supreme Court did not believe Jessica and upheld (Webb’s) defense of alibi,” De Lima said. A certain Pitong, one of the new witnesses interviewed, claimed that
WEBB he had known the Webb family since October 1982, and had seen their laundry women washing a bloodied shirt on June 30, 1991. Pitong claimed he then heard Hubert shouting in Filipino, “I would not have ended up like this if you had not neglected me.” Three days after that, he was allegedly approached by Mrs. Webb who reportedly told him, “You did not see anything.” A week after, Sen. Freddie Webb allegedly told him, “You did not see anything. You will regret it.” A certain George, another witness, claimed that he was introduced to Webb by former SPO1 Gerardo Biong sometime in April 1991 where the young Webb allegedly purchased from him 10 grams of shabu worth P10,000. He alleged that Webb bought illegal drugs from him on two other occasions in May 1991. He alleged that he could not forget Webb because Biong had allegedly threatened him, “Do not cheat him. I will kill you,” brandishing a shiny revolver. Witnesses Rey, Mario, Jerry and Jack (not their real names), claimed that they had from April to July 1991, seen Webb playing basketball in BF Homes. Freddie Webb questioned the reliability of the immigration tapes and the NBI investigation, pointing out that while there was a record of his son’s arrival, there was no record of his departure. “How was that possible?” he asked. He also demanded that the NBI reveal the identity of the new witnesses so that his lawyers could question them. Demetrio Custodio, Webb’s counsel, dismissed the results of the reinvestigation and said the Webb camp may resort to legal action. n
JULY 1-15, 2011
PALACE HITS BACK AT GMA: WHAT GAINS? “HELLO? We don’t live in the same neighborhood.’’ Budget Secretary Florencio Abad issued this retort as he joined the fray over former President Macapagal-Arroyo’s scathing criticism of what she called President Aquino’s “nobody home’’ style of leadership. Abad said it was “amusing’’ and “galling’’ for the now Pampanga lawmaker to lecture Mr. Aquino about building the gains of her administration. “The first question that comes to mind is what gains? The people’s gains, or her gains?” he said in a statement. “Prudent expenditure took a back seat to political survival and political patronage during the previous administration,” he said. Abad cited the case of the National Food Authority, whose loans skyrocketed to a staggering P176.8 billion when she left in June 2010 from P18 billion when she assumed the presidency in 2001. “P123 billion of that was incurred in just two and a half years, from 2008 to 2010. In those years, we overbought way beyond what we needed and at prices way above world prices,’’ he said. Arroyo had warned of a danger for the economy because of the kind of leadership displayed by Mr. Aquino which she said had been characterized by a columnist as “nobody home.’’ She said the Aquino administration should build on the gains of the previous administration as she had done with the gains left to her by previous administrations. To stop the hemorrhage in the NFA, Mr. Aquino has introduced a food self-sufficiency program, posted a bumper rice harvest in the first quarter and substantially cut rice imports to 860,000 metric tons, Abad said. Responding to Arroyo’s claim of economic sustainability, Abad said that by the time Mr. Aquino took over the presidency in July last year, more than 60 percent of the P1.541-trillion national budget had been disbursed by the Arroyo administration. “The previous administration
left us with our largest projected fiscal deficit to date of P325-billion or 3.9 percent of gross domestic product. Is she saying that is sustainable?” he said. On top of this, the Arroyo administration consumed more than 70 percent of the P2-billion calamity fund in the first half. Of this, P105 million was allotted for Arroyo’s second district, he said. “With prudent spending the Aquino administration reduced the deficit to 3.5 percent of GDP at the end of 2010, even registering surpluses in August and November, while able to adequately provide for basic services like increasing the conditional cash transfer beneficiaries to a million and augmenting the calamity fund by P1.75 billion,” he said. “Nobody home? Of course! We’ve left the old neighborhood. We live in a new neighboRhood now—where decency, transparency and accountability reign,” Abad said. Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang said Mr. Aquino was not “annoyed’’ by Arroyo’s criticism. “[He was] just surprised at the nerve of GMA. She’s clearly scared that she may be made accountable and is trying to muddle the issues,’’ Carandang told reporters in a text message. Arroyo said the lack of leadership in government became evident as early as the Manila hostage crisis last August 23, 2010. “Yung characterization of nobody home, that’s the main source, that there maybe danger lurking ahead for economy...Itong pagkukulang lumutang (noong) hostage crisis sa Luneta,” she told reporters. In her conversation with reporters, Arroyo noted how the government seems to have failed on building on her gains. This has led to a deceleration of the economy. “A year later, the economy is still benefiting but this is not to say there are no danger signs. There are danger signs. Yung ekonomiya na iniwan ko very strong at a time when there was global crisis. Now, when the rest of Asia is recovering ours is decelerating,” she said. n
PLANET
JULY 1-15, 2011
24 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
NEWSROUND-UP
ARROYO FACES NEW PLUNDER CASE FORMER PNP OFFICER
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was charged with another plunder case before the Department of Justice (DOJ). Former solicitor general Francisco Chavez accused Arroyo of diverting over P2 billion in fertilizer funds to her campaign kitty when she ran for president in 2004. At the same time, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is preparing to charge Arroyo and former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte with plunder for the alleged diversion of some P150 million from the PR funds to “intelligence operations” a few months before the May 10 elections last year. Lawyer Aleta Tolentino, PCSO director, said they have uncovered a document bearing Arroyo’s signature that approved the release of the P150-million intelligence fund of the agency. “We are just gathering other documents prior to the filing of graft charges against Uriarte and possibly former President Arroyo,” she said. Earlier, Chavez pulled out from the Office of the Ombudsman the complaint for plunder, malversation of public funds, violation of the Constitution and election laws against
Arroyo. Chavez said Arroyo had authorized the Department of Agriculture to release P728 million and P1.59 billion from the fertilizer fund program for poor farmers in separate orders in February 2004, as the campaign period was starting. Chavez said Arroyo cannot pontificate on good governance. “She should not have the temerity to do that because look at her trail – it’s a trail of unmitigated corruption, pillage and plunder,” he said. “(Respondent Arroyo) caused the release of no less than P728 million and P1.59 billion, or an aggregate amount of P2.318 billion, of public funds of the Department of Agriculture to specific members of the House of Representatives, provincial governors, and city and municipal mayors,” read the complaint. Chavez submitted almost 200 pages of documentary evidence, including the Department of Budget and Management’s special allotment release orders, Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s reports in 2006 and 2009, and Commission on Audit report, among others. Chavez included in the list of respondents former agriculture
MINIMUM WAGE If you work in Alberta and make minimum wage, your hourly pay will increase this September 1. As Minister of Employment and Immigration, I was happy to announce that minimum wage in our province would increase from $8.80 per hour to a new general minimum wage of $9.40 per hour. At the same time a new minimum wage of $9.05 per hour will be established for employees who serve liquor as a regular part of their job. Minimum wage is lower for those who serve alcohol because alcohol servers make more money with tips or gratuities as part of their job. When it comes to two different rates of minimum wage, Alberta is not the first to try this. Ontario and Quebec have had different minimum wage rates for years, and British Columbia has recently introduced two different rates that will start later this year. A lot of consideration went into this decision to raise minimum wage, and I think it is fair for employers, workers and Albertans. Some employers have said that a large wage increase could mean Albertans paying more for daily goods and services. On the other hand, minimum wage has not increased in our province since 2009, and I believe now is the time. We need to stay competitive with the rest of Canada, but we also need to keep in mind that businesses need to stay competitive too. The government will also change how
secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr., former undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, former assistant secretary Ibarra Poliquit, Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, Budget director Nora Oliveros, and so-called runners Jaime Paule, Rose Lingan-Florendo, Leni Aquino and Jane Fabian. A case involving the P728-million fertilizer fund scam is now pending before the Sandiganbayan. However, it does not include Arroyo because the Office of the Ombudsman investigated the case when she was still president enjoying immunity from suit. Mrs. Arroyo and her allies used the PCSO as their milking cow, leaving the agency P4 billion in debt, or close to a year’s worth of doles for the poor and the sick. “They ran it to the ground,” said PCSO Chair Margarita Juico, who recently met with Inquirer editors and reporters. Juico said the directors appointed by Arroyo to the PCSO board “comingled” the funds for operating expenses with those for charity work, thus allowing the agency to spend more than its budget, especially in the last two years in office of the appointees.n
we decide on future increases to minimum wage in our province. Currently, increases to minimum wage are determined by changes in Alberta’s average weekly earnings only. But starting September, increases to minimum wage will be the average of changes to Alberta’s average weekly earnings and changes to the Consumer Price Index in Alberta. The Consumer Price Index shows price changes to certain products that Canadians buy. This is also known as the rate of inflation. For example, if the average weekly earnings of Albertans have risen four per cent in the last year, and the Consumer Price Index in Alberta has risen two per cent, the provincial minimum wage will increase by three per cent. If needed, changes to the minimum wage will happen on September 1 of each year. The wage for alcohol servers will remain at $9.05 per hour until the general minimum wage reaches $10.05 per hour. From then on, both wage rates will increase together, with a $1 difference between the two of them. To find out more information about minimum wage and other employment standards, visit our website at www.employment.alberta.ca/ES or call our contact centre at 780-4273731 or toll-free at 1-877-427-3731. Your comments or concerns related to this article, or any future article, are always welcome. You can contact me by calling 780-4154800 in Edmonton and area or 310-0000 and then 780-415-4800 for elsewhere in Alberta, or through email at EI.minister@gov.ab.ca.
CLEARS ESTRADA, LACSON FORMER Police Officer Michael Ray Aquino cleared former President Joseph Estrada and Senator Panfilo Lacson on the deaths of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer, and driver, Emmanuel Corbito. “Gusto ko pong malaman ng sambayanang Pilipino na wala pong utos sa akin si President Joseph Ejercito Estrada o si Senator Panfilo M. Lacson to kidnap, harm and/or murder anyone specifically Mr. Salvador Dacer and Mr. Emmanuel Corbito,” Aquino said in a statement after he arrived in Manila last June 26. Lacson has been tagged as the one who orchestrated the death of Dacer while Estrada has been implicated to the killings based on the testimony of another former police officer Cezar Mancao who mentioned a certain “Bigote” as the mastermind. Aquino said he is ready to face his accusers and ready to prove his innocence. “I sincerely believe that this is
my opportunity to clear my name, prove my innocence and finally put to rest all speculations about me,” Aquino said. Aquino was brought to the NBI headquarters where he is now detained. The former senior superintendent of the defunct Presidential Anti Organized Crime Task Force, who is facing charges for the Dacer-Corbito killings, was extradited to the Philippines after staying in the US for 10 years to avoid the murder charges. Meanwhile, the lawyer of the Dacer family said the statements of Aquino are “difficult” to believe, accusing him of stonewalling to curtail the truth in the murders of Dacer and Corbito in November 2009. Lawyer Demetrio Custodio said the family is “very, very disappointed” with Aquino’s denial of any involvement in the double murder case, much less his denial of the involvement of Estrada and Lacson. n
PLANET
Calgary Edition
25
PHILIPPINES
JULY 1-15, 2011
NEWSROUND-UP
AQUINO THANKS U.S. FOR SPRATLYS AID COMMITMENT PROBE OF FORMER TESDA EXECS SOUGHT
PRESIDENT Aquino thanked the United States for its promise of military assistance in the event of a shooting war in the Spratlys, and expressed relief at China’s assurance that it had no plans to invade the Philippines. “We are grateful to the US for their offer of help,” Aquino told reporters in at the launching of the 200-megawatt power plant of Korean Electric Power Co. in Barangay Colon, Naga City in Cebu. “We’re of course glad that the Mutual Defense Treaty has been reiterated,” Aquino said, referring to assurances from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. among others. But while he is thankful for China’s “no invasion” assurance, Aquino said he is deeply worried about the large presence of Chinese troops as well as permanent structures in the disputed territories. But he stressed this should not get in the way of diplomatic discussions. “Although in fairness we have been talking to them (Chinese). I think the only right solution, direction will be to continue talking with all the claimant-countries as far as the Spratlys are concerned,” he said. “The focus here should be on how to maintain stability and increase trade. That will increase the standards of living for all the people concerned,” he told reporters.
“So we maintain the direction towards improving the standards of living, rather than going into a conflict situation,” he said. But Aquino said the Philippines, although a small nation, is ready to deal squarely with aggression. Tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) have escalated in recent weeks, with Vietnam and the Philippines protesting what they see as China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the strategic region. After introducing a resolution condemning China’s reported bullying in Southeast Asia, US Sen. Jim Webb (Virginia) said it’s now time for his country to “back (its) policy with action.” The resolution calls for “a peaceful and multilateral resolution to maritime territorial disputes in Southeast Asia.” Earlier, China warned its neighbors to stop searching for oil in the contested region without its permission. The warning came amid a report from Hanoi that China, for the second time in two weeks, on June 23 harassed a Vietnamese vessel conducting seismic surveys within Vietnam’s continental shelf. Vietnam’s prime minister said Hanoi was determined to protect its “incontestable” sovereignty over areas it claims in the South China Sea in an intensifying war of words with Beijing.
HSBC SEES RATE HIKE, PESO AT 41 TO $1
BRISTISH banking giant Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) is forecasting local interest rates to increase by at least 50 basis points this year and the peso to end at P41 to the dollar. In a media presentation, HSBC investment managers said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may increase interest rates by another 25 bps, most likely in October. Inflation, which currently hovers at the 4.5-percent level, is seen to peak at seven percent in October and level off between five to six percent towards the end of 2011, the HSBC executives said. The bank said the BSP needs to hike rates more to narrow the negative real interest rate gap. “That’s the due to base effect and the volatility of world food prices,” said Arjuna Mehandran, HSBC managing director and head of investment strategy for Asia. He said the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is expected to resume bullish activities to start the second semester in anticipation of peaking
inflation and rising interest rates. The Philippine bourse has been performing much better than emerging markets, helped even more by good rating from credit agencies. The market, it added, is expected to start accumulating strength in the next few months to take advantage of the surge in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the peso is seen to settle at the 41 to the dollar level, uniformly bullish in emerging markets currencies, Mehandran added. The economic growth forecast remained at five percent this year, as private consumption will continue to be the key engine for the country’s overall growth. On the other hand, he said remittances had weakened compared to last year although growth continues on the positive side. Remittances from overseas Filipinos grew 5.9 percent to $4.6 billion in the first three months of 2011, but the outlook for the year would be lower at about six percent. n
AQUINO Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, smarting at Beijing’s stepped-up criticism of the Philippines, scoffed at China’s demands. “For heaven’s sake, don’t lecture to us. We can equally lecture to you even if you are a giant,” Enrile told reporters. A day after Beijing warned Manila to refrain from unilateral actions that could damage Chinese sovereignty, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao issued another warning. “We’re calling on all parties to stop searching the possibility of exploiting resources in the area where China has claims. At the same time, if the countries want to do so, you can talk to China about the possibility of having a joint cooperation
development and exploitation of natural resources,” Liu said. Asked about reports of oil exploration in the disputed region, Liu said: “China hasn’t started drilling oil wells in this region. Personally, I don’t know anything about what was reported. China has a large maritime area, for example in East China Sea.” Recently, Manila lodged a protest in the United Nations over the harassment by a Chinese vessel of a Department of Energy vessel. “It’s not harassment. It’s a normal practice and exercise of jurisdiction, and the rumor was the Chinese vessels made an ammunition assault, which is not true,” Liu said. He added that the Reed Bank— which the Philippines calls Kalayaan—was “totally within China’s territorial claims.” The ambassador urged all parties to set aside differences and engage in joint cooperation. “Peaceful means is the only option for China and we’re determined to carry on with peaceful consultations with our partners, our neighbors who are also claiming the Nansha (Spratly) Islands. So I hope that all countries will face it with reality and consider overall peace and stability in the region,” Liu said. n
AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE KILLED IN DAVAO FLOOD DAVAO City – Up to 25 people were killed and up to 15 others were missing as a flashflood triggered by heavy rains devastated a riverside community in the Philippines, rescuers said on June 29. The downpour drenched large parts of Davao city on the southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday night, causing the Matina River to rise and flood its banks, officials said. Mayor Sarah Duterte told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that 15 people died and were identified as Lydia Balderosa, 66; Rowena Balderosa, 7; Alexander Baricuatro, 4; Alexandrea Baricuatro, 7; Jame Bawo, 6; Conchita Bawo, 7; Alora Baricuatro, 8; Jason Saturos, 7; Kenneth Tan Paches, 4; Angelita Paches, 65; Chen Sorinio, 2; Tito Servidad, 53; Beth Amatus, 7; John Alvarez, 3; and an unidentified victim. Earlier in the day, Artemio Jimenez, village chairman of Bangkal, said based on reports, most of the fatalities were from his village. Jimenez said at least 10 more remained missing as of June 29. At least 15,000 families
fled their homes when floods, spawned by heavy rains, swept everything in its path. One resident of Talomo district said they had to climb the roofs of their house just to escape the rampaging water. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte described the floods that hit the villages of Bangkal, Matina Crossing, Matina Aplaya and Matina Pangi as the worst disaster to hit the city in decades. “Davao City experienced the highest level of floodwaters to date, reaching up to 10 feet [three metres],” the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a statement. Military rescuers have so far recovered 25 corpses after most of the floodwaters subsided Wednesday, said Major Jacob Obligado, commander of a local army battalion taking part in the search and rescue effort. Earlier in the week, Tropical Storm “Falcon” also caused flooding and forced the evacuation of 90,000 people in the capital Manila and in nearby provinces. n
ANOTHER state agency mandated to help poor Filipinos is claiming to have uncovered lavish and irregular expenditures of Arroyo administration officials. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has sought the help of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to look into the possible criminal liability of its former officials who allegedly facilitated the release of billions of pesos for questionable transactions. Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva personally submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima documents covering various projects under his predecessor, Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco. In a closed-door meeting, Villanueva asked De Lima to assist Tesda in examining the documents and ascertaining the accountability of Syjuco and Tesda personnel involved in the allegedly anomalous projects. “Tesda could be the next [to expose corruption] after PCSO,” De Lima said, referring to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Villanueva said among the Tesda expenditures that he wanted scrutinized was the P2.4 billion earmarked for the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship which, he said, was awarded to fly-by-night and nonexistent schools. “I was really stunned when I found out that there were scholarship vouchers covered by bouncing checks that were issued by the previous administration,” Villanueva said. He said a previous report from the Commission on Audit had uncovered irregularities in the way Tesda had allocated funds to vocational schools and awarded scholarships. Of the P2.4 billion, he said only P880 million were backed by receipts and other pertinent documents. n
SUDOKU ANSWER FROM PAGE 18
JULY 1-15, 2011
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*Before applicable taxes. New Sales Only. Storage Ottoman includes 1 (#4198). All advertised offers can not be used with any other promotion. Promotional items are limited to one per customer, per purchase. Offer valid until July 25, 2011.
PLANET
28 PHILIPPINES
Do you want us to prove how big and stable we are as a company? Compare our prices to our competitors.
Calgary Edition
cdn currency
DROP OFF LESS $12
Pick-up / box
Our balikbayan boxes are bigger & better!
Metro Manila North & South Metro Manila
$70
(Marila, Meycauayan, Plaridel, Bocaue, San Pedro,
$80
Binan, Cabauyao, Santa Rosam Taytay, Binangonan, Antipolo, Tanay, Morong, Kawit, Bacoor, Imus)
Central Luzon (Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, North of Malolos, Laguna (South
$90
of Calamba), Batangas
North and South Luzon (La union, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Quezon)
Bicol Region (Albay, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Mindoro,
$100 $100
18 X 18 X 31 with 61 ECT (edge crust test) and with water and moisture resistant adhesive.
it has more space and can handle more weight. 10 box in 1 year = 1 Free 7 box at the same time = 1 Free (all same destination)
Sorsogon, Camarines Norte / Sur, Masbate)
4 box at the same time = 1 half price
Cagayan Valley
(all same destination)
(Aparri, Cagayan, Batanes, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Kailnga-Apayao,
$100
Quirino Province, Abra, Benguet)
All of Visayas and Palawan All of Mindanao
$105 $110
WE ACCEPT COMPETITOR'S BOXES & we will replace it with ours. BE SMART PINOY
NOW WITH OUR FILIPINO STORE AFFILIATES IN CALGARY & SURROUNDING AREAS, YOU CAN DROP OFF OR BUY MANILA FORWARDER BOXES:
Free strap & no pick up charge at ang box mo, siguradong naka insured!
Nag-aral. Nag sikap. Ngayon nga nasa Canada ka na.
Hahayaan mo nanaman bang hindi makarating ang pinahahalagahan mong Balikbayan box? Pinagpawisan at pinagpaguran? Maraming cargo companies dyan na kung ano-ano ang ipinapangako sainyo. Nakarating nga, may butas at kulang naman ang Balikbayan box mo. Worst, paano kung iniwan ka na sa ere tulad ng nangyari sa F at A cargo? hindi karapat-dapat kang tratuhin ng ganon sapagkat ang Balikbayan box mo ay iyong pinaghirapan at pinahahalagahan. Sa Manila Forwarder, kung gaano kahalaga sayo ang Balikbayan box mo, ganun din namin pahahalagahan ang mga ito. You know better than becoming a victim.
Pinoy Sari-sari Store - 3607 17 Ave SE Calgary, AB (403) 248-3230 Makabayan Filipino Store - 416 Erinwoods Dr SE Calgary, AB (403) 452-6143 Filipino Market - 3803 26 Ave SW Calgary, AB (403) 984-8100 Melly's Bakery - 112 6800 Memorial Dr NE Calgary, AB (403) 569-1517 Loriz 1 - 13 8330 Macleod Tr SE Calgary, AB (403) 256-8604 Loriz 2 - 25 2525 Bridle Crest Way SE Calgary, AB (403) 256-8604 Asian Palate - 519 3208 8 Ave NE Calgary, AB (403) 272-2098 Tindahang Pinoy - 1093 Falconridge Dr NE Calgary, AB (403) 285-1875 Iremit Calgary - 636-999 36 St NE Calgary, AB (403) 569-8887 Rolymie Bakery - 5-5008 Whitehorn Dr. NE Calgary, AB (403)590-0099 MacEwan Sisters - 12-16 MacEwan Dr NW Calgary, AB (403)275-8023 Tondar Computer - 999 36 St NE #525 Calgary, AB (403)248-7126 Lanhel Oriental Store - 4734 49B Ave Lacombe AB (403) 782-0056
BETTER ACCESS, BETTER CONVENIENCE FOR YOU
JULY 1-15, 2011
Big J & C Express -Bay 3 5020 50 St. Rockey Mountain House,AB (403)846-9797 Rossil Pinoy & Asian Grocery Store-953 S. Railway St SE Medicine Hat, AB (403) 526-6111
We are a very Straight Forward & Licensed Company. No hassles, no gimmicks. We operate for the good of all Filipinos since 1998. We have branches all over the world however this ad is only focusing in AB, Canada. Check us online for our other branches.
Kung magpapadala ka, Check us online to see how big and stable we are as a company:
Direct: (403) 890-7975
Manila Forwarder Calgary & Surrounding Areas: 3544 Fonda Way SE Calgary, AB T2A6E8 (403) 890-7975 c/o Richard Panuelos
Toll Free:
Manila Forwarder Edmonton & Surrounding Areas: 9818 163 St Edmonton, AB T5P3M8 (780) 818-6684 c/o Sonny Suarez